Adjustable deess form



(No"Mode1.)

M- MOSGHoo-WITZ, meets-sheet 1.-.

ADJUSTABLE DRESS FORM,

0.a l 1 :H

Patented Apr. 3, 1883.

'INVENTEIR WITNESEEE N. PUERS. Fholn-Lllhagmpher, WashmtunV D, C.

MMM@

2 sneetssneiet 2.

(No Model.)

S.V M. MOSGHGOWITZ- ADJUSTABLE'DRBSS FORM.

Patented Avpr.3, 1883.

N. wenns. mammography. washingmu u. c,

UNITED 4STATES PATEN T @FMC SCHAMU MORITZ MOSGHCOW'ITZ, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y.

AoJUsTABLE'DRi-:ss-FORM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 274,958, dated April 3, 1883.

Application filed November 21, 1881. (No model.)

To all 'whom it may concern Beitknown thatI, SCHAMU MORITZ Moscu- COWITZ., of New York, county of New York, State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Adjustable Dress- Forms, which is fully set forth in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Figurel is a iront view of my improved adjustable dress-form; Fig. 2, a vertical central section thereof; Fig. 3, a horizontal section atlineg/y ofFig. l; Fig. 4, a plan of disk shown at W. Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a horizontal section at line Z Z of Fig. l; Fig. 6, aneleration of one ot' the side bars complete, showing spring extension; Fig. 7, a front View of the same.

The object of my invention is to provide an efficient and easily-practiced apparatus for looping, draping, trimming, and finishing ladies dresses by means ot' an adjustable tigure-frame readily expanded to suit the varying proportions' oi' different individuals. j

In the drawings, A represents the frame or support; B. the grooved rib-plate; C C, the ribs adapted to slide in the grooved rib-plates; D, the upper ribplate; E E, the connectingrods uniting the grooved rib-plate and upper rib-plate; H, the center rod; I I, the cones; J J, the cone connecting rods; K K, the ribhands; L, the key or crank; M, the skirt-reg ulating platform; O O, the stationary posts to support it; P P, the longitudinally-movable supports thereof; R R, the spring-catches; S S, the stops therefor; T, the sliding spring. In draping skirts it is important that the supporting apparatus conform in shape to the proportions ot' the intended wearer at the waist, hips, and below, and be adaptable to figures ot'large and small size. My contrivance is therefore composed of some twenty curved skirt-ribs, C C, each ot' which represents the form of a womans body at the corresponding part. They may be provided with a shell to cover the spaces between them, it' desired. To keep the ribs in position they are encircled by elastic tapes K K, which yield when the apparatus is expanded, to suit the figure of larger persons and bring the ribs' nearer together when it is contracted. These ribs slide in the grooves of the grooved rih-plate B and upper rih-plate,D, which are connected to each other and form a stand by connecting-rods E E. In the center of these plates runs rod H, at the upper end of which a thread is cut, which raises or lowers at pleasure cones I I when the rod is turned by a key or crank, L. These cones are connected together by rods J J, and when they aie raised the ribs are forced outthereby.

In looping a dress it is easier to exercise correctjudgment if the parts corresponding to the hips are nearly on a range with the eye of the operator. Therefore my expansion looping apparatus is surrounded by a skirtsustaining platform, M, which relieves the operator from having to raise the hands inconveniently high when aftixing materials to the skirt in the case of a tall figure, and from bending too low in the case of a short figure. The upper surface forms a table which, when at its lowest point, is adapted to the needs ofthe tallest ijgures, as the ribs when most con- 'tr-acted correspond to the smallest figures.

In the capacity of my apparatus for adjustment in both these particulars of height and circumference is found the distinguishing feature of its utility. Raising the supports I) I), which slide in the stationary posts 0 O, elevates skirt-platform M to any desired height, and the spring-catches RIt,ei1gaging with stops S S, hold it there. Each rib is provided with a sliding spring, T, on the outer edge, extending from the girdle-of the waist to above the middleof the skirt, and is also provided with suitable clamps to hold the springs in position as varied in the process of adjustment. I am thus enabled to set each spring to meet the peculiarities of different women. For instance, in case of a woman of large stomach and dat hips, the springs on the front ribs are to be raised an inch or two, as required, while several of the side ribs may be each more-or less depressed to conform to the datness, or

raised ifa fuller appearance `is desired, while for large hips and a dat stomach the springs will be raised, so as to bring out the side ribs of the apparatus to correspond to the womans hip, and the stomach and back ribs depressed.` To easily distinguish the front from the back IOC or sides the ribs are numbered (supposing there are twenty) from one to ten on each side, the two tens indicating` the front These ribs are differently curved to correspond to the human form; but the two ribs ot' corresponding numbers are always alike.

In practical use the apparatus is covered with soft cloth, the more easily to gather the material to t closely about the waist and hips and over the springs when raised.

The dress may be readily gathered in at the waist by an ordinary drawing-string. 1n some lcases the springs may be brought to the desired shape by fastening them tight at their lower ends, which secures with certainty the required elevation at the girdle. About twelve inches below the waistit is well to fasten a heavy canvas to the cloth covering, reaching to the bottom ot' the expansion apparatus. A seam in the middle of the front, opposite the ribs marked 10, will serve as a guide to the draper not tc put the skirt on one side. By means of hooks or rings on each side from top to bottom, provided with a cord, it may be lacedtight enough to give the figure the desired symmetry and stiffness.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-

In a dress-form, the combination ot' an adjustable platform, the grooved plates B and D, the curved skirt-ribs C, adapted to slide in said grooved plates, and provided with springs T, adapted to slide on the ribs to expand or contract the form, and the cones l I, connected by rods J J, and adapted to be raised and lowered on rod H to expand or contract the ribs G, substantially as described. l

SCHAMU MORITZ MOSCHCOWITZ.

Witnesses:

ANTHONY P. PoLrrzER, HENRY HAAs. 

